Combination x-ray and examination table with upright radiography



Jan. 2, 1951 c, os o 2,536,212

COMBINATION X-RAY AND EXAMINATION TABLE WITH UPRIGI-IT RADIOGRAPHY Filed June 10, 1950 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. NATHANHEL C. OsTRoFF,

BY g2 f/TTuR/VEY.

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE COMBINATION XTRAY AND EXAMINATION TABLETWITH UPRIGHT RADIOGRAPHY Nathaniel 'C;:0strofl, Hollywood, Fla.

ApplioatiunJuuelO, 1950, SeriaI No. 167,370

therein forshiftable endWise-movement, the con ventional bucky, whereby the bucky maintains its relative-position with respect to the-table top regardless of whether the table top is in the horizontal or vertical I position.

A further object of the inventionresides-ina novel construction of "table havinga hinged-foot section that may be swung downwardly when the table is to be used-for vaginal examinations, with the upper endof the depending footsection serving as asupport for examination instruments orthe like, with brace means-to rigidly position the foot sectionin the upperor-horizontalposition.

Another objectof the invention residesin the novel means whereby the bucky is mounted within the verticallyshiftabletable top-to be adjusted to a desirable point within thetop' for-proper positioning beneatha patient for X ray' pictures or for proper positioningas to height, when the table top is swung to a vertical position-for use in fluoroscopic examinations; with novel "means whereby. the bucky is guided in its --traverse of the table and suitably balanced to maintain'its position of adjustment.

. Other objects and advantages and novel features of construction and operation-will be readily apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrateda preferred form of the invention and whereinlike characters of reference denote like parts throughout the severalfigures- In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table constructed in accordance withthe invention, shown inthe horizontal position,

Figure.2 is a perspective view of the table with its top swung .to the vertical position,

Figure 3 isafragmentary longitudinal sectionof a traverse balancing means. for the bucky, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 4,

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical section, taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3, with parts in elevation,

Figure 5 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the table, taken on line 5-5 of, Figure -1, Figure 6 is a horizontal'section of the table top, parts in top plan view and,

Figure 7 is-a vertical transverse section,- taken on line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Referring specifically to theydrawings, the device comprises a fixed table 5, generally rectangular in top plan, having a cover 6 and corner supporting legs 1. The table may be of any suitable constructionand'the legs are of 'a length 'tosupport a tabletopat the proper height.

Hinged to the forward upper end of-thetable- 5, as at 8, is'a box-liketable ton-9; havinga-width equal to the width of the table 5. The top fi'is adapted to-normally lie flat uponthe table 5 with" one end fiush with the end of the table and its opposite end extended beyond the table and its; point of *hinging. The extended end of the top dis-provided with an arcuate bracket iflithat slidably engages aclamp II; fixed to one leg 'l,

through the medium, ofwvhich' the top u'may be securely held against swinging movement, when adjusted to the vertical position, as, shown in Figure 2. Thenormalweight of the top 9 will maintain the topin the horizontal ;position,. as shown in-Figu1-e-1. Hinged to the extended end of the top-9,- as at l2,-isa-pb'ox-like foot section I 3, equal "tothe top Bras; to-- height and width. The foot sectionl3-is normally held in align-5 ment with the-top 9; by a-brace rod M, having shiftable notched-=engagement with a suitable bracket 'carriedbythe legl: The foot section [3' may be dropped down-to the dotted line position shown in-Figures land- 5; by disengaging the brace! 4- and, when-the foot section is in the lowered position, presents :a flat,-relatively wide end, thatserves as a restfor various instruments employed 1 during any examination.

The top-9, beingof box form,'provides an inner compartment It, for housing a conventional.

bucky; The compartment extends for the major length and width of the-to -aandis formed open When the tabletop 9 is to be swung to th'evertical position,

may be found desirable.

along one side, as at ll. The opposite side and ends of the top are fully closed. Rigidly positioned along the sides of the top 9, adjacent the top cover, is a pair of parallel trackways l8, parallel with the top of the top 9. A conventional bucky IQ, of well known construction, is provided with grooved rollers 28 at each of its upper corners for engagement with the tracks l8, through the medium of which, the bucky is easily shifted from end to end of the top 9. The bucky l9 remains parallel with the upper surface of the top 9 at all times. The open side ll permits access to the bucky for insertion of sensitized plates and to permit clearance to control elements of the bucky. The bucky is connected by an electrical conductor 2|, leading to a plug-in socket 22, fixed to the under side of the table 5, as shown, with the conductor freely passing through aligned slots 23 and 24, formed in the lower wall of the top 9 and the cover of the table 5, such an arrangement permitting the shifting movement of the bucky in any position of the top 9 without interrupting the flow of current. The plug-in socket 22 is detachably engaged by an electrical conductor from the conventional X-ray machine, not shown.

Since the bucky is freely shiftable upon the trackways l8, it follows, that means must be provided to counterbalance the weight thereof when the top 9 is swung to the vertical position, as in 1 Figure 2. To accomplish this counterbalancing, a pair of identical balance devices, indicated as a whole by the numeral 25, are arranged within the compartment l6 adjacent each side wall and parallel thereto and with each other. Each balance device includes a channel member 26, fixed upon the lower wall of the compartment I6 and extending for the full length of the compartment. Each channel 26 houses a balance within the bracket 28 and having an axial squared end 36 projecting therebeyond, as shown, through the medium of which adequate tension can be imparted to the spring 32 to compensate for the weight of the bucky. Any desirable ratchet 31 may be employed to maintain the spring in proper and predetermined tension. The free end of the tube is rotatably supported upon the head 35.

. 'Shiftably supported upon the tube 30, is a cylindrical ring 38, provided with an inwardly projecting key 39, that engages within the spiral slot 3|. The rings 38 are welded or otherwise fixed upon a bracket 40, in turn fixed upon the bottom of the bucky at opposite sides. It will therefore be apparent, when the bucky is manually shifted upon the trackways I8, the rings 38 partake of longitudinal sliding movement over the tube 30 and, since the rings cannot rotate, the keys 39 will traverse the spiral slots 3| in a straight line, causing the tubes 30 to rotate and increasing the tension upon the springs 32. Thus, the weight of the bucky can be balanced to a fine degree. While the balance devices will maintain the bucky against shifting, it may be found advantageous in some cases to provide a locking device between the bucky and the trackways. However,

this is a mechanical expedient and illustration thereof is not deemed critical.

In the use of the table, for examination purposes, the foot piece I3 is lowered to the dotted line position, after which a patient is placed upon the top 9, with or without a pad. If a vaginal examination is to be made, the conventional stirrups are engaged in the brackets l5, for the reception of the patients feet. The physician then proceeds with his examination, using the fiat end of the foot piece [3 as a rest for his instruments. If the table is to be used for horizontal fiuoroscopy, the foot piece I3 is elevated and latched in fixed position by the brace rod I4 r and, with the patient in the prone position, the

bucky i shifted along its trackways to the desired point beneath the patient. Horizontal radiography is conducted in the same manner. After the bucky has been properly positioned, a sensitized plate is inserted therein and the conductor from the X-ray machine is plugged into the socket 22. The slots 23 and 24 permit freedom of movement for the conductor 2 I.

When the table is to be employed for vertical fluoroscopy, the foot piece I3 is first lowered by releasing the brace bar Hi. The table top 9 is then bodily swung upward to a perpendicular position, as illustrated in Figure 2 and is then looked in such position by the bracket l0 and clamp II. A patient is then placed in standing position against the vertical surface of the top 9 and the bucky shifted along its trackways l8 to the proper position, being counterbalanced and will remain in such adjusted position. The physician then proceeds with his fluoroscopic examination in the conventional manner.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, that a I very novel and highly advantageous combination table has been provided. The novel arrangement of the bucky, whereby it maintains its same relative parallel position with respect to the top 9 regardless of the position of the top, is highly advantageous, since the bucky is always in accurate spaced relation to the body of a patient and requires no separate mounting and swingin supports to bring the bucky into position when the table is swung to perpendicular pos-tion. Buckys heretofore employed are usually mounted with the table and are notshiftable with the table top and obviously require a separate and costly mounting in order to control the shiftin of the bucky when it is to be used in vertical fiuoroscopy. The device of the present invention combines a vertically swinging table top with its housed bucky always ready for-use. The novel balance means for the bucky is simple and highly effective and is easily adjusted as to tension. The table structure is simple, requires a minimum of floor space so important in the average physicians ofiice, is strong, ornamental and highly effective for the purposes designed. Further, the structure presented is relatively cheap, as compared with corresponding devices now in use.

It is to be understood, thatwhile a preferred example of the invention has been shown and described, various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to as will be determined by spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Havingdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combined X-ray and examination table that includes an elevated rigid base, a table top hinged adjacent one end to the base, the top extended beyond the base and the hinge at one end,

appears afootv extention-hinged to=..th'e extended endcof the top, the. foot extension adapted tohswingdownwardly from the table top to provide a work surface. at oneend, bracemeansv betweentthe, foot extension and the base, the table top provided with'an' inner compartment for its major width and length open at one side, trackways at both sides of the compartment parallelwith each other and with the table top, a bucky diaphragm positioned in the compartment andgprovided with track rollersto traverse the trackways whereby the bucky diaphragm is shiftable frornend to end of the compartment in parallel relation to-th'e table top, torsion springs at both sides of theacompartment, means carried by the bucky diaphragm for increasing or decreasing the torsion upon the springs as the bucky is shifted, the table top adapted to swing upwardly to a perpendicular position, with the bucky diaphragm maintaining its parallel relation to the top throughout the swinging movement and brace means between the table top and the base for maintaining the top in the perpendicular position against shifting.

2. A table of the character described comprising a rigid elevated base, a table top normally resting upon the base with one end extended therebeyond, hinge means between the base and the table top whereby the top is adapted to swing to a perpendicular position, a foot extension hinged to the top with its upper surface flush with the top, the foot extension adapted to swing I downwardly to provide a work surface at one end, brace means for retaining the foot extension in the elevated and flush position, the table top provided with an interior compartment extending for the major length and width of the top and open at one side, trackways at both sides of the compartment parallel with each other and with the top, a bucky diaphragm positioned in the compartment and having rollers at each corner for traversing the trackways, the bucky diaphragm being parallel with the top throughout its traverse, balance means for the bucky diaphragm arranged at both sides of the compartment parallel with the trackways, the balance means including a torsion spring and a spirally slotted casing for the springs, the springs being anchored at one end to the casings and at the other end to brackets, brackets carried by the bucky diaphragm and means between the brackets and the casings adapted to slidably engage and rotate the casings as the bucky is shifted upon its tracks, the balance means adapted to balance the shifting movement of the bucky throughout the swinging movement of the table top to maintain the bucky in its parallel relation to the to at all times in any position of adjustment.

3. A combination table of the character described having a fixed elevated base and a table top hinged thereto and normally resting on the base, the table top extendedat one end beyond the base and adapted to swing to a perpendicular position to be arranged entirely outwardly of the end of the base, a foot extension hinged to the extended end of the top and adapted to swing downwardly from the table top to expose a fiat end as a work surface, brace means for retaining the foot extension in an upper flush position with the top, the table top provided with an interior compartment for its major Width and length open at one side, parallel trackways in the compartment at both sides parallel with the top, a bucky diaphragm arranged in and adapted to traverse the compartment from end to end in continuousv parallel relation-tothe stop, trackrolb ers ateach corner of the bucky thatengage the tracks, torsion spring balance. devices in the bottom ofthe compartment at both sides parallel with the ,trackways and with each other, spiral winding casings over the springs, brackets fixed to the bottom of the bucky, a carriage connected to each of the last named brackets for sliding movement over the spiral casings and means .carried. by each carriage for traversing the spirals of .thecasings, the movement of the carriages under the influence of the bucky serving to rotate the spiral casings forincreasing or decreasingv the torsion upon the springs, the bottom of the.

table top slotted and the top of thebase slottedand an electrical conductor connected with the buckyuand a plug-inadevice fixed uponthe base with the conductor freely passing through the slots.

4. A combination table of the character described having a rigid base and a table top hinged thereto to swing to a perpendicular position, a foot extension hinged to the table top to swingdownwardly to a perpendicular position, the table top being box-like and provided with an inner compartment for its major width height and length and open upon one side, a bucky diaphragm adapted to traverse the compartment from end to end, trackways in the compartment and rollers carried by the bucky for traversing the trackways, the bucky being parallel with the table top in all positions of traverse, balance means for the bucky throughout the various positions of the table top, the balance means includ- F inga tubular spirally slotted casing having a torsion spring therein anchored at one end to the casing, the opposite end of the spring being anchored at a fixed bracket, the casing adapted to rotate around the spring and rotatably supported at one end in a fixed bracket, brackets carried by the bucky, tubular carriages fixed to the last named brackets and adapted to have sliding movement over the casings under the influence oi the shifting of the bucky, a key formed on each carriage to engage in and traverse the spiral slots, the shifting of the bucky causing the carriages to slide over the casings and rotate the casings through the medium of their key engagement in the slots for increasing or decreasing the torsion upon the springs, thebottom of the table top and the base provided with aligned slots, an electrical conductor connected with the bucky and with a fixed plug-in device upon the base, the conductor freely shiftable through the last named slots.

5. A combination X-ray and examination table that has a base and a table top hinged thereto and normally resting thereon in a horizontal manner, the table top adapted to swing vertically to a perpendicular position, a foot extension hinged to the table top at one end and adapted to swing downwardly to a perpendicular position, brace means for supporting the foot extension in the upper position, brace means for retaining the table top against swingingwhen in the perpene dicular position, the table top provided with an inner compartment, a bucky diaphragm arranged in the compartment to be shifted from end to end thereof in continuous parallel relation to the table top in all positions of adjustment of the table top, rollers carried by the bucky and trackways in the compartment to be traversed by the rollers, balance means for the bucky in all degrees of angularity of the table top that consist of fixed channels along opposite sides of the compartment, brackets in the channels adjacent their traverse of the spiral slots of the casings, the shifting of the bucky imparting a rotative movement to the casings under the influence of the carriages and their keys to increase or decrease the torsional stress upon the springs, the springs being torsionally adjusted at their adjustable connection with its respective bracket, the bottom of the table top and the base provided with aligned slots for the passage of an electrical conductor, the conductor connected with the bucky and with a plug-in device carried by the base.

NATHANIEL C. OSTRO'F'F.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 4 1,015,187 Kelly Jan. 16, 1912 1,922,738 Kelley Aug. 15, 1933 1,925,425 Wilent Sept. 5, 1933 2,291,139

Borthwick July 28, 1942 

